Best yarn bowls for knitting and crochet
There's so many different types of yarn bowl available, so we've picked our favourites to help you treat yourself!
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Here at Gathered we love a yarn bowl, but if you’ve never heard of them before and are wondering what is a yarn bowl… well, it’s as it sounds, a bowl for your yarn! But what’s the point of them, and how do they differ from a regular bowl?
Yarn bowls are a fantastic product for knitters and crocheters, and they come in a huge range of sizes, styles and materials. The benefit of using a yarn bowl is that it keeps your ball of yarn in place. When you’re busy knitting or crocheting, as you pull on your yarn it’s easy for your balls to roll off, gathering dust on the floor, finding it’s way under the sofa, somehow wrapping itself around table legs… or worse – becoming a play toy for your cats!
Yarn bowls normally have a curved cut into them which makes them different to regular bowls, this is where your yarn is threaded through. As you pull on the yarn as you work, the yarn will come through this cut but the ball will stay neatly in the bowl. Some bowls also come with handy holes for your needles or hooks too. Another advantage of using yarn bowls is when you are using two yarns together, as these can easily become entangled with each other – but storing one (or both) in a yarn bowl means you’ll cut down on those nasty tangles! It’s important to look closely at the dimensions when buying a yarn bowl and consider what you’ll be using it for, as if you’re fan of using particularly big yarn balls they may not fit in smaller bowls.
They make fantastic gifts for the crocheter or knitter in your life, or just as a well-deserved treat for yourself. One of the main things we love about yarn bowls is that there are a huge range of independent makers that produce them, from ceramicists to woodturners, so they’re a great way of supporting small artisan makers. We’ve tried to include a range of bowls at different prices in this list, but remember that a lot of these products are handmade unique items created by skilled crafts people, so it’s worth the investment for something so special.
If you’re looking for more help with your knitting and crochet accesory purchases, we’ve got loads of handy articles to help you make the best decision. Find out which are the best crochet hooks or best knitting needles to buy, or take a look at our gifts for knitters and gifts for crocheters articles. You can also find our list of the best stitch markers for knitting and crochet, or check out some of the best yarn packs and yarn bundles!
2o of the Best Yarn Bowls
We love these sweet yarn bowls by Barruntundo ceramics, which come in a range of cute creature characters, including sheep, rams, foxes, giraffes and more. Handmade in Spain by a collective of female designers, prices for yarn bowls start from £45.
If you’re a little wary of breaking a ceramic yarn bowl, then why not treat yourself to something really special – a hand-turned wood bowl! These gorgeous bowls by Jack of TurnedStudios show off the natural grain and qualities of the wood beautifully, plus they’re nice and sturdy too. Prices start from £60, and make sure to take a browse of their other items too – they also make lovely wooden crochet hooks!
We’ve got a bit of a soft spot for two-toned yarn bowls, and these stunning ones by AnnieCeramic are so nice we’d be happy just to use them as display pieces! Prices start from £48
If you’re after a wooden yarn bowl that is full of character, then you’ve got to check our NormsWoodCraft’s bowls. These big and chunky bowls are hand carved and are tall and sturdy enough that you can use them as floor-standing bowls. You can also order custom-spec hand-carved yarn bowls, and each bowl also comes with the added option to add a charming wooden mouse! Prices start from £59
When it comes to buying presents for knitter and crocheters, it can sometimes be tricky… but trust us, buy them one of these personalised ceramic yarn bowls and they’ll treasure it forever! You can customise your message, colours and even sponge choices on your order, making it a really unique and personal gift. Prices from £26
How cute are these bunny yarn bowls by LittleWrenCeramics?! Available in a range of different colours and glazes, these hand-thrown bowls are made by Victoria in North Yorkshire, and there’s a few other options available including customised message yarn bowls. Prices start from £28.
If you’re looking for a really special yarn bowl, then these ones by Trescone Wood Turning are some of the most unique one’s we’ve ever seen. The bowls are made by Michael in Indiana who salvages, mills and drys the wood himself from trees that have been damaged by storms or other natural causes. As well as the intricate yarn holes/cuts, we love how his dye effects add a pop of colour while still showing off the beautiful grain of the wood. Prices start from £68
These hand-painted yarn bowls by V’s Craft Room are so pretty, we think they’d make the perfect gift for a loved one. Available in a range of beautiful designs, these gorgeous bowls are made to order, and can be personalised too. Prices start from £30
Here’s another yarn bowl producer who really shows off the natural qualities of wood! These beautiful hand-turned bowls are all made from locally sourced wood by Ken of WoodBeach in his workshop in Wales. Prices start from £45
Another beautiful ceramic yarn bowls that features stunning glaze colours for you here! These yarn bowls by Sarah Gamble Pottery in Branson, Missouri are all made by hand, one piece at a time, and are microwave, dishwasher, and oven safe with glazes that are food safe and lead free – so good to know you can even eat out of it when you’re not using it for yarn! Prices start from £39
This wooden yarn bowl from knitting and crochet accessory specialists KnitPro has a unique and interesting method for keeping your yarn in place. Rather than having a curved slit in the bowl, this one features a smaller cut section and a peg that goes into the notch to make sure your yarn stays in place (the peg is also attached to the bowl with a cord – a clever touch to stop you from losing it). Priced £20
Doms Pottery have a wonderful range of different yarn bowls available, all hand made and made to order. From beautiful colourful glazes, fun and funky cut-out shape details and even some jumbo yarn bowls, whatever style you’re looking for you’re sure to find the perfect yarn bowl for you! Prices start from £37
If you’re loving all of these beautiful yarn bowl, but think they’re a bit out of your price range, then this bargain yarn bowl might be perfect for you. Made from Steam Beach Wood, this simple yarn bowl is an affordable option for those who are watching the pennies! Priced at £17
Want to keep it affordable but not a fan of the wooden bowl above? Then how about this adorable stoneware swan yarn bowl. With the cut-out hole for the yarn to go through being cleverly incorporated into the swans neck, plus those pretty gold details, it’s a lovely bowl that would look great even if you don’t have yarn in it! Priced at £10
We’re big fans of Emily Cross ceramics. A regular exhibitor at yarn shows, Emily from Bath makes beautiful yarn bowls in a range of different styles – we particularly love this sweet elephant design! She also makes cute pin dishes too! Prices start from £42
Now here’s a yarn bowl for those of you who definitely like something different! These troll/goblin yarn bowls are a unique and individual choice, with no two being alike. They can be customised and personalised to your exact specifications, from the colour or appearance to how many holes you want for your yarn! Priced at £35
When is a yarn bowl not a yarn bowl – when it’s a yarn box of course! This alternative take on the traditional yarn bowl has that same handy curved slit for your yarn like a normal yarn bowl, but with a few extra features too. As well as holes for storing your needles, there’s also a handy needle gauge on one side, plus useful ruler marks on the on another side in both centimetres and inches. Combine that with the fact that these yarn boxes are handmade to order out of solid oak wood, and are available in a range of different sizes and finished. Prices start from £26
Here’s a yarn bowl that is perfect for all you colour-lovers! These large hand-painted ceramic yarn bowls features some stunning colourful glaze effects, and are available in a range of fantastic colour combinations so you can easily find the perfect bowl to match your own style! Priced at £38
This wooden yarn bowl is not only made from gorgeous Indian Rosewood, but also features an amazing effect that is achieved by fractal burning! – a process using electricity to create fabulous burned cracks which are then filled with colourful resin. These bowls and hand-made in India using ethically sourced wood, and as well as this beautiful bowl they also have some other plain wood bowls too. Prices start from £31 with free international shipping.
We thought we’d end this post with something that’s a little bit different – a 3D printed yarn bowl! These bowls are made from a high quality plastic by DansCraftShop, who also makes sure the bowls are polished perfectly to ensure your yarn doesn’t snag on any edges. As well as a couple of designs in the more traditional yarn bowl style, we particularly like this one with multiple holes as it could be used for a whole range of other purposes when you’re not using it for yarn! Priced at £28
Authors
Matt Spiers is a crochet artist and designer that is passionate about hooking yarn and growing his own chillis
